SsangYong Korando Sports revised for 2014

If you’re in the market for a rugged work pick-up that could double as a spacious family car then the new SsangYong Korando Sports might be exactly what you are looking for.

On sale now, prices start from just £17,995 (including VAT), which means a significant saving against its closest rival, the Mitsubishi L200 twin-cab – which costs from £19,858 (including VAT). The basic Volkswagen Amarok, meanwhile, will cost closer to £25,000.

And that bargain price doesn’t mean the SsangYong Korando Sports scrimps on equipment. Quite the opposite, in fact. Even the basic Korando Sports SX gets 16-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, air conditioning, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and remote central locking. The SsangYong also gets a Kenwood MP3 CD player, which has a USB port and a Bluetooth phone connection. Treat yourself to the top-of-the-range EX model and that list grows to include leather upholstery, bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, electrically-powered driver’s seat, parking sensors, and heated electric door mirrors that fold away. A six-speed automatic gearbox and cruise control are also options.

All SsangYong Korando Sports models come fitted with a 2.0-litre diesel engine that gets up to 37.7mpg, and produces emissions of 199g/km for pricey annual road tax of £260. Opt for the automatic gearbox and economy tumbles to 35.3mpg and road tax will cost £280.

While perhaps not perfect for long-distance journeys – pick-ups tend to have noisy cabins and bouncy suspension – SsangYong rightly points out that the Korando Sports is capable of everything from towing a work trailer or horsebox (it can pull up to 2.7 tonnes), to ferrying the children to school. It may even prove more comfortable to ride in than some of its rivals thanks to sophisticated rear suspension. The five-seat interior is also suitably spacious, although there are plenty of cheap-looking plastics on show.

The ‘boot’ meanwhile is massive and can be had in raw, uncovered truck form or with the choice of three lids that are new to the 2014 range. The Top-Up cover is a £1,655 option and is a simple cover for the load bay, which maintains the Korando’s pickup truck profile, while the Classic (£1,695) is a full hard top that matches the height of the passenger compartment and includes a rear brake light, interior light, side opening glass, fixed front glass and interior lining. Splashing out on the £1,995 Elegance load cover adds to the Classic design with a heated rear window, sliding front glass, LED interior light, central locking, pop out opening windows and roof bars.

Throw in a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and we are struggling to think of a better-value pick-up truck that offers so much for so little.

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